UK woman charged with murdering husband in Malaysia

A British woman has been charged with murdering her husband after he was found stabbed to death at their home on the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi.

Police found a blood-stained kitchen knife in the home 51-year-old Samantha Jones shared with John William Jones, 62.

Mr Jones was found dead on October 18 with a stab wound to his chest.

Jones’ lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo said: “She is very, very overwhelmed. It is her husband at the end of the day. She is also grieving for him despite the circumstances of the case, but she is holding up.”

Police earlier said Jones confessed to stabbing her husband in the chest during a heated argument.

The couple moved to the tropical island 11 years ago under the Malaysia My Second Home scheme, which gives foreigners long-stay visas.

Ms Kaur said Jones did not enter a plea as the magistrates’ court has no jurisdiction to hear a murder case. The case is expected to be transferred to the high court.

The next court hearing is on November 29 where prosecutors are expected to provide the defence with the post-mortem, forensic and other related reports, Ms Kaur added.

Murder carries a mandatory death sentence by hanging in Malaysia, but the government plans to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.

All executions are being put on hold pending changes to the law.